Enjoy three days of remarkable culinary experiences with some of the finest chefs in North America. From our fabulous Friday Gala to small-group Food and Wine Adventures and the exciting Sustainable Seafood Challenge you'll have a weekend of fun opportunities to enjoy great chefs, fine food and wine, and to discover ways to save the oceans—one meal at a time.
Celebrity Chefs LIVE!
Sun., May 20
(10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., times vary)
- $60 general public/$45 Aquarium members (per presentation)
- Includes Aquarium admission
- Aquarium Auditorium
Meet your favorite celebrity personalities and learn how they're making a difference in the culinary world. You'll laugh, be entertained and learn something about protecting the planet during two days of special presentations and cooking demonstrations from
Alton Brown,
Alexandra Guarnaschelli,
Rick Bayless,
Cindy Pawlcyn and
Michael Chiarello. Each will create an engaging hour-long special program and sign books after their presentations. Don't miss this opportunity for a fun face-to-face encounter with these culinary leaders. Note: When available, presenters' books will be for sale.
Alton Brown: Sustainable Seafood 101
Sun., May 20 (10:30-11:30 a.m.)
Alton's become a Food Network star as commentator on "Iron Chef America" and through his "Good Eats" program, a smart and entertaining show that blends wit with wisdom, history with pop culture, and science with common cooking sense. He's also a passionate advocate for sustainable seafood and Seafood Watch. He'll showcase all this and more in a program that's guaranteed to engage, entertain and inform.
Cindy Pawlcyn: Cindy's Supper Club
Sun., May 20 (12:30-1:30 p.m.)
There's nothing more convivial than sitting down with friends to enjoy a great meal, and with chef Cindy Pawlcyn's help you may be inspired to start your own supper club! She'll demonstrate soulful, globally inspired recipes designed to be shared with an intimate group, from her newest book Cindy's Supper Club. A master chef of national acclaim, Cindy is a pioneer in local, seasonal, sustainable wine-country cuisine and cultivates bountiful organic gardens at home and for her restaurants. She'll talk about creating dishes with international flair straight from your home garden or the farmers market, and how to pair local wines with a variety of cuisines.
Michael Chiarello: Napa-Style Entertaining
Sun., May 20 (2:30-3:30 p.m.)
Michael is an acclaimed chef, vintner, lifestyle trends pioneer, author and Emmy-winning host of "Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello." A passionate advocate of seasonal, sustainable living, he'll share easy ways to entertain a crowd with local, artisanal ingredients with his signature, laid-back Napa style. From al fresco entertaining to choosing the right wine for a crowd, Michael will share his secrets for throwing memorable parties and family get-togethers.
Salon Series
Sun., May 20 (10 a.m-4 p.m., times vary)
- $45 general public (per presentation)/$20 Aquarium members (per presentation)
- Salon series One-Day Pass for all five presentations $80, Aquarium members only
- Includes Aquarium admission
- Aquarium Ocean View Conference Room
Join us for one, or more, of these intimate culinary experiences with chefs and artisans that will offer delicious insights into some of your favorite foods. Whether you want to learn how to cook seafood perfectly, become a chocolate-tasting expert or make your own bacon, the pros will share their tips, tricks and lively commentary in each hour-long, interactive program.
SOLD OUT
Chocolate: Raising the Bar
Sun., May 20 (10-11 a.m.)
San Francisco-based chocolate company TCHO is a pioneer in the chocolate industry, focused on making chocolate that reflects the intrinsic flavors found in pure cacao. Join TCHO's head chocolate maker for a guided tasting of their remarkable chocolates and an in-depth explanation of how they shape the flavors of the TCHOPro line. Explore unique examples of what can be done with chocolate and learn how this innovative company is using cutting-edge technology and ethical sourcing, based on a direct partnership with growers, to explore the flavors of cacao and raise the chocolate bar to new heights.
SOLD OUT
Steak Out
Sun., May 20 (11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.)
Whether it's seared, grilled or served extra rare, Chef
Paula DaSilva is an expert on steak. But can beef be better for the planet? Join Paula and Niman Ranch for a discussion about the differences in consistency, flavor and supply between grass-fed and pasture raised/grain-finished beef. Learn the ways that Niman Ranch has implemented humane husbandry practices, and is working to minimize the environmental impact of beef production. Paula will show you how to cook your favorite cuts to perfection, so you can enjoy a steak that's a bit better for the planet.
SOLD OUT
How to Dress a Fish
Sun., May 20 (12:30-1:30 p.m.)
Don't let your fish wear the same old thing at every meal! Aquarium Executive Chef Jeff Rogers shows you how to turn the same simple piece of fish into three deliciously different entrees, using a range of cooking techniques and seasonings. You'll master foolproof cooking techniques and explore a spectrum of flavor profiles from exotic and spicy to simply succulent.
Sweet Treats
Sun., May 20 (1:45-2:45 p.m.)
- Sponsored by Clover Stornetta
Chef
Jeff Jake from Silverado Resort & Spa will satisfy your sweet tooth with a lively demonstration of confections and desserts made with milk, yogurt, butter and cream. He'll share his secrets and techniques for making professional quality sweets at home and explain how dairy can help make desserts dazzling. Staff from Clover Stornetta, the nation's first dairy to be American Humane Certified for the treatment of the animals, will be on hand to talk about being leaders in the industry.
Handmade Gnocchi with Jesse Ziff Cool
Sun., May 20 (3-4 p.m.)
A plate of gnocchi seems deceptively simple—just a few ingredients and a straightforward sauce. But making these light, delicate dumplings to perfection can be a challenge—just ask anyone who's spent an afternoon rolling them by hand only to end up with leaden lumps. Chef Jesse Ziff Cool, celebrated Bay Area restaurateur, will share her step-by-step method for handcrafting perfect gnocchi every time. You'll take home skills that will make any Nonna proud, plus ideas for using fresh, local ingredients to dress up your gnocchi and turn them into a different meal every time.
Sustainable Foods Celebration at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Sun., May 20 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
- Featuring Whole Foods Marketplace and Kids' Zone and
Clover Stornetta Fun & Learning Area
- Included with Aquarium admission
- Aquarium galleries and Great Tide Pool deck
Learn more about sustainable seafood, organic agriculture and earth-friendly winemaking at information booths as you stroll through the Aquarium galleries. Visit the Whole Foods Marketplace and Kids' Zone to mingle and graze with local growers and food artisans, or attend informative "talk and taste" demonstrations with culinary experts on our oceanview deck. See cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs
Sam Choy and
Nathan Lyon and
Casey Thompson, chat with the Whole Foods Market Seafood Team to get tips on selecting and preparing seafood, or learn about local olive oil, produce, cheese, honey, ice cream and other delectables from around the region. Visit chef Hákon Már Örvarsson at his station and taste samples of Icelandic seafood. Meet celebrity bovine Clo the Cow at Clover Stornetta's Fun & Learning area. With chef book signings throughout both days, activities and crafts for kids, a photo booth and a spectacular waterfront setting, it's an engaging way for all ages to learn more about the food we eat.
Event Packages
SOLD OUT
Cooking For Solutions Platinum
- $650 Aquarium members only
- Tax deductible: $190
- Includes Aquarium admission
Includes: Friday evening Amuse-Bouche: A Conversation with Michel Nischan and Rick Bayless + Premium Access Lounge (7:30-11 p.m.) + Cooking for Solutions Gala + Saturday Food & Wine Adventure + Sustainable Seafood Challenge + Sunday The Morning Chew: Breakfast with Carla Hall + one Sunday Celebrity Chefs LIVE! program + one Sunday Salon Series program.
SOLD OUT
Cooking for Solutions Gold
- $225 Aquarium members only
- Tax deductible: $35
Includes: Friday evening Cooking for Solutions Gala + Saturday morning Savor the Gulf Coast Breakfast + one Saturday Celebrity Chefs LIVE! program + one Sunday Salon Series program.
SOLD OUT
Salon Series One-Day Pass
- $80 Aquarium members only
Enjoy all five Salon Series programs on either Saturday or Sunday. Whether you want to learn how to cook seafood perfectly, become a chocolate-tasting expert or make your own bacon, the pros will share their tips, tricks and lively commentary in each hour-long, interactive program.